Cariboo Chilcotin Coast

Dining

(Kevin Arnold photo)

The varied landscape of the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast, which ranges from larger cities to tiny towns and grassy ranchlands to lush coastlines, translates into diverse meals and off-the-beaten-track dining options.

Sample fresh seafood on the coast, taste traditional Aboriginal food or shimmy up to a communal table for a hearty dinner at a guest ranch. At family-owned diners, try home-cooked meals or, for a bite of history, visit Barkerville Historic Town for dishes recreated from the 1800s.

Seeking a fine dining experience? Look to larger cities (such as Williams Lake or Quesnel) or even a guest ranch in the wilderness, many of which have top chefs cooking everything from Italian to Thai.

Guest Ranch Dining

Guest ranches dot the grasslands, especially near Clinton in the South Cariboo. Dig into hearty home-style cooking and baking after a day of riding, fishing, hiking or exploring the outdoors.

Most guest ranches serve breakfasts and dinners family-style around large tables in a main lodge. Laugh and recount the day's activities with fellow guests or ranch wranglers. Lunch is typically packed "to-go" in order to maximize time spent playing outside.

BC Seafood and Local Food Specialties

Rich buffalo burgers are on the menu at a number of restaurants in the South Cariboo (100 Mile House, Watch Lake and Green Lake). Visit the buffalo ranch at 70 Mile House to pick up organic buffalo meat and see these animals roaming the grasslands.

Cattle grazing across ranchlands are a common sight while driving through the region. Order grass-fed "pasture-to-plate" beef from a local producer to create a home-cooked culinary masterpiece.

In late summer, keep watch for sweet corn on the cob from the Soda Creek and Marguerite areas (north of Williams Lake). Look for signs on Highway 97 that lead to "u-pick" sites, or inquire with local stores and restaurants for a taste of local corn.

The coast is drastically different from the dry grasslands of the interior, and dining options reflect the aquatic environment. Seasonally, order local, fresh seafood in coastal restaurants, such as those in Bella Coola.

Food Festivals

Celebrate in Lillooet with the annual Apricot and Tsaqwen (Saskatoon berry) Festival (July). During the festival, local restaurants and farmers' markets feature baking and treats made from these fruits. The town also host Salmon In the Canyon, a family festival featuring a salmon feast.